Prof. Dr. Anna Rieckmann

Biologische Psychologie
Gebäude 161, Zimmer 1014
+49 89 6004 3952
anna.rieckmann@unibw.de

Prof. Dr. Anna Rieckmann

Aging, Cognition, and the Dopaminergic System

 

The brain's vulnerability to aging, as well as its remarkable resilience, raises some of the most complex and fascinating questions in the field of the psychology of aging. I am captivated by novel multimodal imaging techniques and their potential to uncover molecular targets for interventions in aging and psychiatry.

As a principal investigator, I have led major projects, supported by the European Commission and national sources, that employ hybrid PET-MRI to investigate the molecular correlates of human learning and memory. I have a strong interest in the dopaminergic system, which plays a pivotal role in learning and memory. Exploring how this system shapes learning and adapts during aging and how it contributes to resilience or vulnerability to cognitive impairments is a core aspect of my research agenda.

 

While the study of brain aging remains a central focus of my research, I have developed a growing interest in complementing imaging studies with large, population-based studies on aging, cognition and blood markers of disease. My vision for the future is to integrate diverse techniques and data types to build a comprehensive, biopsychosocial understanding of brain aging and cognitive decline. By identifying key targets, I aim to contribute to strategies that enhance the quality of life for our aging population.


A list of all publications is available on Google Scholar:
https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=OpurFeUAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate

More about Prof. Dr. Rieckmann's ERC Project:

https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/444401-hybrid-fmri-pet-scans-offer-insights-into-the-ageing-brain/de

 

Curriculum Vitae

  • Seit 2022 Professorin für Biologische Psychologie, Universität der Bundeswehr München
  • 2016 - 2021 Forschungsgruppenleiterin, Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Department of Diagnostics and Intervention, Umeå University, Sweden (2021- 2022 Max-Planck-Institut für Sozialrecht und Sozialpolitik, München, Germany)
  • 2012 - 2016 Post-doc (Marie Curie), Massachusetss General Hospital/Harvard University, Boston, USA. (2016: Standort Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging Umeå University, Sweden)
  • 2007 - 2011 PhD Studentin, Aging Research Centre, Karolinska Institut, Stockholm, Sweden. Promotion 2011.
  • 2005 - 2006 MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience, University of York, UK
  • 2002 - 2005 BSc Psychology, Goldsmiths College, University of London, UK

 

Forschungsgelder (ausgewählte)

  • 2017-2022 ERC Starting Grant, European Commission (1.5 Million EUR, principal investigator). Aging-related changes in brain activation and deactivation during cognition: novel insights into the physiology of the human mind from simultaneous PET-fMRI imaging.
  • 2016-2021 The Swedish Research Council Starting grant (300.000 EUR, principal investigator). Hybrid PET-MR imaging of dopamine release in humans: A potential biomarker for schizophrenia?
  • 2013- 2016 Marie Curie International Outgoing Fellowship, 7th Framework Programme European Union.